Reversibly Cross-Linked Isoporous Membranes Fabricated by the Recyclable Block Copolymer with Pendent Dithiolane...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Disulfide bonds offer reversible cross-linking for dynamic materials.
• Isoporous membranes are crucial for separation technologies.
• Developing recyclable and durable membranes is a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize block copolymers with dithiolane groups.
• To fabricate isoporous membranes with dynamic disulfide cross-links.
• To investigate the properties and recyclability of these membranes.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of block copolymers with pendent dithiolanes.
• Fabrication of isoporous membranes via self-assembly and nonsolvent-induced phase separation.
• Cross-linking using thiol-initiated ring-opening cascades of cyclic disulfides.
• Characterization using Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, DSC, and rheology.

Main Results:

• Successful formation of disulfide bond networks within isoporous membranes.
• Enhanced mechanical toughness and swelling resistance to various solvents.
• Complete dissolution and recovery of the block copolymer using dithiothreitol.
• Repeated fabrication of membranes with identical pore sizes.

Conclusions:

• Dynamically cross-linked isoporous membranes exhibit improved durability.
• The developed membranes demonstrate excellent recyclability.
• Incorporating dithiolane moieties enables custom-made, high-performance membranes.